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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SMART ACT PRESENTATION

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Date Dec 19, 2018       Location Old State Library

Department of Agriculture SMART Act Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
10:51:11 AM  
Commissioner Don Brown, Department of Agriculture, introduced himself to the committee and provided an overview of the department.  The department's regulatory agenda and performance plan can be accessed through the committee's website here: http://leg.colorado.gov/node/1220431/.  Commissioner Brown also distributed a copy of his presentation [Attachment A].
11:04:57 AM  
Commissioner Brown discussed the department's new laboratory facilities located in the department campus in Broomfield.  The relocation of the laboratories will complete the department office consolidation project that began in 2014.  He also discussed the Agriculture Workforce Development Program, created by Senate Bill 18-042, and the Federal Lands Program.  The commissioner talked about the increase in members of the Colorado Proud Program, as well as a new branding for the program.
11:13:13 AM  
Commissioner Brown discussed the current state of Colorado's food and agricultural industry and stated that there has been a steady decline in Colorado net farm income.  He emphasized the increase in the cost of producing and a decrease in working capital nationally.  He provided a summary of imports from the state and specifically discussed the decrease of soybean exports nationally.  He also discussed the decline of commodity prices in recent years.  The commissioner highlighted state industries with an increase in productivity.  He also discussed the Colorado Industrial Hemp Program and distributed a summary of the program [Attachment B].  He explained that the General Assembly will need to pass legislation to stop a repeal of the program due to the recent changes in federal law regarding industrial hemp.
11:24:38 AM  
Tom Lipetzky, Director of the Markets Division CDA, introduced himself to the committee and provided an update of the department's performance plan.  He explained the department's mission and priorities for the upcoming year.  
11:34:27 AM  
Joy Moore, Chief Financial Officer, introduced herself to the committee and discussed the department's FY 2019-20 budget request. She discussed a budget request to manage and distribute biological control agents as a form of pest control. She also discussed a request to increase international marketing efforts aimed at helping Colorado food and agricultural suppliers develop new markets.
11:38:00 AM  
Ms. Moore responded to questions from the committee regarding federal funding for pest control and the use of rust to eliminate Canadian Thistle.
11:39:17 AM  
Commissioner Brown discussed the department's legislative agenda.   Legislative priorities include incorporating the Food Safety Modernization Act into state statute and expanding the authority of the Groundwater Protection program to include the monitoring and testing of surface water.  He also discussed upcoming Sunset Reviews, including the Seed Potato Act, Public Livestock Markets, and the Pet Animal Care Facility Act.  
11:45:44 AM  
Karen Lover, Executive Assistant, discussed rulemaking activities that occurred in 2018.
11:46:19 AM  
Mr. Lipetzsky responded to questions from the committee regarding the Colorado Proud Program.  Commissioner Brown responded to questions regarding federal changes to laws concerning industrial hemp.  Mr. Lipetzky responded to questions from the committee concerning the engagement of a younger demographic in the agriculture industry.
11:58:17 AM  
Commissioner Brown responded to questions from the committee regarding the mental health crisis in the agriculture industry.
11:58:18 AM  
The committee recessed.